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Going through the revs, every one of its extra spurts of power gets a sound effect to match. There are particular rev bands where it's slightly hesitant, others where it truly burns. Just tickle the throttle and you ooze gently away. Floor it and the note deepens, the whole car getting the vibe.

The revs climb beyond 3,500 and there's a kick in the back. Beyond 5,000, it's a renewed tornado of noise and force. And it goes on feeding of its own pace. You really have to be on the case to avoid ba-ba-bouncing off the strict 8,000rpm limit, because that's also where the peak power is, and that only adds to the challenge. Still, its legs are so long that second gear can make toast of 100mph.

Which slightly (only slightly) tames the performance on tight roads. The gearshift itself is heavy but precise as it clacks through the hard angles of the aluminium gate. When you get it right, it's an unequalled buzz but if you mistime the clutch, it'll kick you square in the pants.

Corners are no different, though the consequences are greater. Lamborghinis have always had a reputation for spitting you backward off the road in disdainful punishment of any error you make in a high-g corner. But Murciélagos, and especially the LP640, have a lighter side too.

First, the steering. it is wonderful. Heavy, yes, but so precise and full of information that you'll easily forgive it almost anything. It's clear that the Murciélago is set up for running arrow-straight at gigantic speeds and so bumps and sidewinds don't deviate it. Neither, easily, do your arms. To get it into a corner, it demands that you swing the wheel with definite emphasis. It's just making sure. 'You want a corner? Then I'll give you a corner.'

Unusually for a mid-engined car, it understeers. In tight corners, at least. You feel that so clearly through this wonderful steering. Until you squeeze in some throttle. Then the four-wheel drive gets to work, the wheel lightens and tyres claw down into the tarmac and centrifuge you through and out of the curve.

And what if you let one or two more horses slip out of the corral a mite too early? Suddenly, it's another degree in this attitude shift. From definite understeer to definite oversteer. It's just a hint, not something you'd see from outside the car (there's four-wheel drive remember, and traction control, but not stability control). But it's something the driver is warned of with cutting clarity.